Richard Harris, star of Camelot and Harry Potter and now deceased, was and is someone who affected my life in a very positive and uplifting way. In the late 60’s I first viewed the classic movie, “Camelot.” Starring with him as Queen Guenevere, was Vanessa Regrave. What impressed me the most about him was his vulnerability, good looks, positive portrayal of a king, and his inspirational dialogue. Harris, as King Arthur created the Round Table, where all knights could come together in peace and where no one would be at the head of the table because he created the “round” table.

King Arthur was a doomed character basically because he didn’t trust his instincts and his conscience. He simply didn’t want to believe the worst of anyone, particularly Lancelot his friend and Guenevere. When Lancelot brought to life a dying man, he won Guenevere’s heart and loyalty. It was at this critical junction in the movie when you knew there was no going back. King Arthur lost his kingdom, his wife, his good friend Lancelot and his dream of Camelot.

It is in the final scene where King Arthur is preparing for his last battle. His wife has been placed in a nunnery, Lance is gone and all looks bleak. Suddenly from deep in the forest comes a young lad. He talks with the lad and the boy starts talking about “knights of the round table,” “might for right,” “justice for all.” King Arthur feels that with this boy, his dream of Camelot and the round table can go on, even after his death. He is delirious with joy that his dream might continue and shouts something to his friend, Penny. His joy that Camelot and the round table might go on are reflected in his voice when he shouts to his good friend, “Some of the drops sparkle, Penny. Some do sparkle!” It was a beautiful moment.

When all looks lost around me, I do what King Arthur did, searching for that “sparkle.” Seeking that “sparkle of life” has kept me going and helped me pursue my goals in life. When my grandma died I looked for that sparkle and found it when my new niece was born. When my Dad died from cancer I saw a glimmer in his eye as he reached out for Christ and I continue to see sparkles that remind me of Christ whenever I visit and share with the elderly. The exchange of love from nurses to patients and family is brighter than any diamond I’ve ever seen. The sparkle in my husband’s eye when he found that there was hope for his immune disorder, brought light to both of us. Finding sparkle in a friend’s forgiveness, can bring great peace. Nothing shines brighter than hope, that expectation of something beautiful beyond the storm.

King Arthur, Camelot, you and me. “We’re all but a drop in the deep blue ocean of mankind.” But, some of those drops sparkle, my friend. “Some do sparkle!”